Problems with Continuing Healthcare process
Published on 22 August 2012 11:30 AM
Responding to news that the Welsh Government is providing more money to tackle a backlog of Continuing Healthcare cases, we are highlighting the need for broader reform of the paying for care system.
Graeme Francis, Head of Policy and Public Affairs says:
"It is important that the June 2014 deadline for reviewing outstanding cases is achieved, both for the peace of mind of patients and their families, and to assist sustainable financial planning for the NHS. However it is also vital that full and proper consideration is given to the individual circumstances of each claim so that the correct decisions are made.
"The scale of this backlog demonstrates the complexity of the continuing care process for patients, relatives and care staff.
"Age Cymru believes that reform of the whole paying for care system is urgently required, and it would clearly be preferable for correct decisions to be made at the time of assessment rather than later on in a retrospective claims process. We also have concerns over the tool currently being used in Wales to assess claims and whether it is prejudicial for people with dementia.
"We welcome the review of care assessments currently being undertaken by the Wales Audit office and we hope this will lead to improvements in the way the system will operate in the future."